Hollow Wire lights: Converting from Gas/Petrol to Kerosene.

"Exploded" is such an inviting word for journalists. Might be a leak which led to a fire or a big mess, but exploded draws the reader in.

 

Derek,

I've been giving a bit of thought to what you and Gneiss have said in recent posts.

While I haven't been bothered by the comments as I'm old enough and ugly enough to look after himself.

While it might seem to some that I am being overly cautious and a bit of a scardy cat - I put my hand up - we have to have some balance in case some kids find this forum and topic.

While I'm seen as a bit over cautious, I think whenever you are over confident or lax when playing with flammable liquids, air and flame, things can go badly wrong.

To any youngsters that find this topic, make no mistake, bad things can, have and will go wrong if you aren't schooled or are over confident to the extent of being lax in the lamps, lights, stoves etc you are using.

 

Absolutely!

And you don't have to be young to have a spot of bother:


. . watch the propane feed hose get caught in the output shaft! Did they notice?

 

Matty you should be able to join your pipe with a 1/8" double union (https://www.blackwoods.com.au/part/02688417/union-tube-double-brass-4b-18-tube)it is is a brass body with 2 hollow caps that screw onto olives (tapered sleeves) and compress on the tube.( or 25mm long piece of brass with a 1/8 hole the tube inserted from both ends and soldered in check that the solder hasn't blocked the bole by blowing through)

 

I agree with you there Matt.
And that's just another good reason to actually stick with the fuel the lamp was designed to use, and not trying to convert it.
If you are afraid that any kids should get ideas by reading here, it's better to not give them ideas about changing a working concept.

 

Christer,

A couple of things.

Since Neils first comments about being unsafe to mess about with different fuels I had thought I should have not used the term convert, though I suppose even thinking of a better term to use I can't come up with one.

I know that Gloria, Coleman and other lights can use both petrol and kerosene.

I think with the R55 generator for instance it's as simple as removing a plastic cap from the air intake (for the lack of a better term) Now That's a pretty simple convert. I was hoping there was something that simple that could be done.

Since Neils post, which was the 3rd in this topic, I haven't spoken of converting again. Not that I think converting anything, if done properly, should necessarily be a problem.

Secondly, I didn't realise when I started this topic that I or others may say something that could give youngsters the idea that being flippant about these devices and the fuels they use is a good idea.

The only reason I started to feel guilty about some of the things I may have said was because doing a search on trove for hollow wire, I came across yet more articles about people including kids being hurt and killed using petrol lamps.

I'm not sure much more needs to be said as it's now been addressed and I'm sure no one would mind that some balance was put in the topic.

 

Graham,

That's awesome info, thanks.

Have you actually done that yourself?

It's funny, I was talking to Frank (outbackboy) today and he suggested I look for some plumbing or gas fittings that could be adapted to use for a T junction on a Tilley table lamp. I might be able to kill two birds with one stone at Blackwoods.

Adapt! Perhaps that's the word I should have used instead of convert.

 

Matty.
You should be able to sweat that fitting of the lamp end and resolder it onto your tube .
PS most important to put the nut on the pipe first the correct way to then soft solder the nipple on .
Have done this with my hollow wire testing etc .
Bob .

 

Bob,

Since your post above I decided to have a closer look at how the hollow wire was attached to the Knight Light, light.

I was pleased to find it different to how the Gloria is attached. I hadn't looked previously as I'd seen how the Gloria was done and assumed the Knight Light would be the same.

The Gloria is, what I thought was bronzed, on, directly to the light, no screw down nut to be seen. Perhaps it is soft soldered though.

This is a photo of the Knight Lights attachment. It looks as though the hollow wire slips into the the larger end piece and is soldered.

I should be able to de-solder it and hopefully slide the hollow wire out of the end piece. Then just replace the hollow wire and re-solder.

I at first thought the Gloria must have been bronzed on as I thought soft solder wouldn't be used. Since you said it can be used the job should be easy enough. Thanks for the info.

 

My comment was partly in jest, but probably some perspective here...

Thousands of petrol lamps have been used for many years particularly in the USA and accidents while they can happen are rare.

If you are really that concerned about the use of petrol and some people are then it's probably best to stick to the vast choice of paraffin fuelled lamps for lighting and keep the petrol lamps as shelf queens...

 

I knew your post was more or less in jest.

Another day or thread I wouldn't have thought twice about what either of you had said or some of the stuff, as Christer pointed out, that I went wrong from the beginning.

It just so happened that I came across some more articles after the posts were made and it rightly or wrongly, made me feel guilty that I'd even started the topic. If I hadn't of read those articles, I wouldn't have otherwise given it a thought.

Please be aware I'm not saying anyone said anything wrong, I was just being careful. I think 4 kids and 10 grand kids can do that to you.

In reference to being overly concerned about petrol and sticking to kerosene...

This topic has helped me understand that if I make sure everything is tight and sealed properly, I use the correct fuel and keep what little wit I have about me, it should be fine.

I feel that after acquiring a light/lamp, fettling it and brining it up to a nice standard, you have to light it, even if it's only the once. I reckon that kind of completes the lamps journey.

 

Matty .
With your hollow wire system do all the work on ends etc hook up fill hollow wire tank with a bit of Shellite and pump up .With valve off at light , open tank valve and wait a while check for leaks etc .
If no leaks anywhere it set to light up .
to preheat gennie use Gas lighter .
Then put gas lighter near mantle and open valve on light presto you should have light .
Bob .

 

Bob,

Now that seems as easy as it gets. Thanks.

One thing though.

When I first started to light kerosene lamps, I was guilty of initial over pumping/pressurising the fount. I think I was also not pre-heating for long enough too.

One or both of those mistakes caused flare up when the cock was opened.

Do you, or does anyone else know, if there is a pressure the hollow wire tank should be set to prior to initial lighting?

 

Think you would be safe at Tilley pressure 30lbs
Pump up tank to 30lbs first ,you got to remember you have sometimes a house full of lights going in the olden days on one tank .
Bob .

 

Thanks again Bob.

I'll have to check the pressure indicator on the hollow wire tank and make sure it functions correctly.

Have you had to replace any pressure gauges on the hollow wire tanks and if yes, which brand or type did you use?

 

Mine were on the tanks gloria one goes up to 40lbs
Gauge measures 65mm dia at back.Get one that measures in lbs
Bob

 

The Coleman tank I showed here Coleman 1916+Hollow Wire Tank clearly says operate at 20 PSI. (gauge is 50 PSI)
On the subject of soldering clean join area thoroughly, it would be wise to clamp both pipes either side of the joint to prevent movement until cooled to prevent a cold joint (where the solder crystallizes due to movement while setting) "you tube" has many videos of soldering.

 

Graham,

Thanks for the info and link.

My gauge has no makers mark on it. I don't know if it's original. It goes up to 80, I assume that means PSI but there is nothing I can see that indicates either way, I.E. a newer metric gauge from say the 70's.

Thanks for the advice on the soldering. I wouldn't have considered clamping such a small join but I can most certainly see why you should now you have said to prevent movement.

It's really good advice to check out a you tube video.

I've not done a hell of a lot of soldering but I have hopefully bought good soft solder and good flux to use.

I'll give it a go myself as a learning experience but have a panel beater neighbour that is proficient in soldering as back up.

 

Metric is usually in Bar, 1 Bar being 14.5psi.

 

Hey Derek, thanks.

I assume the indicator of 80 must be PSI as it's unlikely a gauge on such a tank would be indicating 80 bar?

Here is a photo of the gauge. Perhaps someone may be able to identify if it's likely to be an original or not.

The photo makes the dial gauge look worse than it is.

 

Matty.
That gauge is in psi.Its the same as mine but mine only goes up to 40psi
The label on the face of gauge reads
moto meter gauge and equip.corp. toledo ohio usa
Bob .
2 of my tanks go to 40psi gauges
1 tank goes to 50psi gauge
1 tank goes to 80pst gauge

 

Bob, again thanks.

Have you tested your gauges or ever had to service them?

Do you know if they aren't working correctly if it's just a case of replacing seals?


moto meter gauge and equip.corp. toledo ohio usa

That's awesome thanks. I can't see any text on mine and even the, what appears to be, an eagle in the photo is much, much clearer in the photo than looking at the gauge itself.

Do you know if many companies used the Moto Meter Gauge and Equip Corp. gauges?


Do your 4 tanks have the same maker or various makers on the gauges?

 

matty.
To test tank pressure gauge just take to local garage and pump it up to 20psi see what gauge reads etc then go to 30psi and read again .Thats the garages with the preset machine .
2 gauges made by moto meter has the indian head dress on it the other 2 can't quite read yet .
The valve set ups on tanks and filler plugs are all different to
Bob .

 

Bob,

Thanks, you have brains I haven't used yet.